The Rum Diary (2011) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Tired of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, itinerant journalist Paul Kemp travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local San Juan newspaper run by the downtrodden editor Lotterman. Adopting the rum-soaked lifestyle of the late ‘50s version of Hemingway’s 'The Lost Generation', Paul soon becomes entangled with a very attractive American woman and her fiancée, a businessman involved in shady property development deals. It is within this world that Kemp… Sign up for the full guide
Rated R • 2011 • 2h 0m
The Rum Diary is rated R mainly for strong language, frequent heavy drinking, brief drug use and some sexual content. The film shows partial nudity (skinny-dipping, a glimpse of a side‑breast), repeated profanity, an eyedrop hallucinogen sequence, and on‑screen cockfighting and brief scuffles with minor blood. Set in 1950s San Juan, it follows journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) as he drinks, sleeps around, and grows disillusioned with… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Rum Diary appropriate for kids?
The Rum Diary is rated R mainly for strong language, frequent heavy drinking, brief drug use and some sexual content. The film shows partial nudity (skinny-dipping, a glimpse of a side‑breast), repeated profanity, an eyedrop hallucinogen sequence, and on‑screen cockfighting and… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Rum Diary
What happens in The Rum Diary, moment by moment
- 0:10 ♥ Sex & Nudity 2/10
- 0:15 💬 Language 7/10
- 0:18 🍷 Substances 6/10
Sex and nudity in The Rum Diary
Brief and suggestive sexual content appears in a few scenes: Chenault skinny‑dipping (only shoulders visible), an off‑distance sex scene in the sea where movement is visible, and a shower/bed sequence that briefly exposes a side‑breast. Nothing is explicit or prolonged; nudity is partial and fleeting (IMDb Parents Guide notes these moments as mild). Parents should expect flirtation and implied affairs rather than explicit sex.
Violence and gore in The Rum Diary
Violence is mild and non‑graphic: bar scuffles, a chase with locals, police intervention and a brief punch that draws a small amount of blood. There are no prolonged fights or gore; physical confrontations are short and realistic in tone. Scenes of people being manhandled or ejected from a club occur but are not graphic.
Language in The Rum Diary
The film contains frequent strong profanity throughout — IMDb reports roughly two dozen uses of the f‑word plus other vulgar terms. Characters routinely use harsh insults in bars, arguments and workplace confrontations, so expect pervasive adult language. This is one of the primary reasons for the R rating.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Rum Diary
Alcohol use is pervasive: heavy drinking, public drunkenness and characters often intoxicated in social and work settings. There is also brief recreational drug use — Moburg sells an eyedrop hallucinogen that Kemp and friends take, followed by a visible hallucination sequence. Smoking is intermittent; substance use is a recurring and prominent element.
Mature themes in The Rum Diary
Themes include journalistic ethics, corruption and exploitation (developers pushing tourism over local welfare), poverty in San Juan, and animal cruelty via cockfighting. The plot centers on moral compromise, betrayal and the collapse of a small paper, which provide mature thematic material. These are handled with a realistic, adult tone rather than simplified moralizing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Rum Diary appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Rum Diary is best for ages 13+. It's rated R. The Rum Diary is rated R mainly for strong language, frequent heavy drinking, brief drug use and some sexual content. The film shows partial nudity (skinny-dipping, a glimpse of a side‑breast), repeated profanity, an…
What age rating does The Rum Diary have?
The Rum Diary is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Rum Diary about?
The Rum Diary is rated R mainly for strong language, frequent heavy drinking, brief drug use and some sexual content. The film shows partial nudity (skinny-dipping, a glimpse of a side‑breast), repeated profanity, an eyedrop hallucinogen sequence, and on‑screen cockfighting and brief scuffles with minor blood. Set in…
Is there sex or nudity in The Rum Diary?
Brief and suggestive sexual content appears in a few scenes: Chenault skinny‑dipping (only shoulders visible), an off‑distance sex scene in the sea where movement is visible, and a shower/bed sequence that briefly exposes a side‑breast. Nothing is explicit or…
How violent is The Rum Diary?
Violence is mild and non‑graphic: bar scuffles, a chase with locals, police intervention and a brief punch that draws a small amount of blood. There are no prolonged fights or gore; physical confrontations are short and realistic in tone. Scenes of people…
Is the language in The Rum Diary appropriate for kids?
The film contains frequent strong profanity throughout — IMDb reports roughly two dozen uses of the f‑word plus other vulgar terms. Characters routinely use harsh insults in bars, arguments and workplace confrontations, so expect pervasive adult language…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Rum Diary?
Alcohol use is pervasive: heavy drinking, public drunkenness and characters often intoxicated in social and work settings. There is also brief recreational drug use — Moburg sells an eyedrop hallucinogen that Kemp and friends take, followed by a visible…
What mature themes appear in The Rum Diary?
Themes include journalistic ethics, corruption and exploitation (developers pushing tourism over local welfare), poverty in San Juan, and animal cruelty via cockfighting. The plot centers on moral compromise, betrayal and the collapse of a small paper, which…
How long is The Rum Diary?
The Rum Diary runs 120 minutes, directed by Bruce Robinson, released in 2011.
Where can I read the full The Rum Diary parent guide?
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